Herbal Feed Additives in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Aquaculture: Impacts on Growth, Biometric Characteristics and Survival

Aquaculture is the mainstream business in the world Herbal extract feed additives have attracted considerable interest as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic growth promoters, immunostimulants and antibiotics in aquaculture. In Cyprinus carpio (common carp), immunomodulatory and growth-enhancing properties of plant-derived bioactive compounds can influence feed utilization, physiological responses, survival rates and carcass characteristics. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the effects of commonly used herbal additives in carp diets, underlying mechanisms, and implications for productivity and fish health, with an emphasis on growth performance, biometric indices and survival outcomes. Challenges, knowledge gaps and future research directions are discussed to support evidence-based application in commercial aquaculture.